Author: Charlie Garrett

Sunday, 26 January 2020

By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Peter 2:3

Peter now continues with his words concerning the false teachers he introduced in verse 2:1. He says of them that “By covetousness they will exploit you.” The Greek word en, or “in,” is used – “In covetousness.” It is the realm in which they live, move, and operate. In that life sphere, they take advantage of, and exploit, others.

Here, he uses a word – translated as “exploit” – which was only used elsewhere in James 4:13, emporeuomai. One can see the basis of the word “emporium” in it. It means to make gain or engage in trade. These false teachers “engage in the trade” of leading others astray. As an emporium has many articles for sale, the appeal is to the masses. The more deceived followers, the happier these people are.

Nothing is said of the type of covetousness here because each may have his own perverse failing which controls his existence. For some it may be money, for others it may be the wielding of power, for others it may be sexual perversion. Whatever it is that they covet, they know that religion is a way of obtaining the fulfillment of their sick desires, and so they exploit others “with deceptive words.”

Now Peter uses a word which is only found here in Scripture, plastos. Here, we can easily see the basis for the word “plastic.” It signifies to mold by using clay or wax. Thus, one forges something which is artificial, contrived, and unrealistic. These false teachers take something which is obviously intended to be presented in one way, and they reform it into something entirely contrary to what it was intended to be.

Generally, there are up to four ways of viewing an Old Testament passage – literal, moral, historical, and prophetic. Each of these may be valid in some measure. For example, the Ark of the Covenant was literally made. It was actually fashioned in the manner given and with the materials provided.

But the Ark also bears a moral lesson for the people. The tablets were placed inside, signifying that though the law was given to the people, it was not actually obtainable to them. Atop the ark was the mercy seat where blood was applied each year on the Day of Atonement. That showed that man required a sacrifice for his transgressions under the law. And so on.

The Ark also carried meaning historically. It was given to Israel only. It was given for the duration of the time of the law, meaning the Mosaic Covenant. Etc.

And the Ark had prophetic significance. Each aspect of it looked to Christ. The type of wood looked to Christ’s human nature – morally incorruptible. The pure gold looked to His deity. The tablets of law, placed inside of it, looked to Him as the embodiment of the law. And so on.

In analyzing Scripture, such things must be reasonable, they must match the rest of Scripture in purpose and intent, and they must be consistent. However, someone may take this pattern and reshape it into something entirely unintended. In doing so, the true meaning of these things is lost, and people are pulled into strange and aberrant doctrines.

For example, some have said that the shape and materials of the ark actually form a transmitter which would be so powerful, it could be used to talk directly to aliens or God. Such nonsense has nothing to do with what is conveyed by God. It is a bucket full of lies, and yet, it is believed by people who want to hear such things. They look to have their ears tickled, and they have no desire to know the truth. For every such sucker, there is someone to lead him along on the road to destruction.

Of such people, Peter says that “for a long time their judgment has not been idle.” The KJV says, “a long time lingereth not,” as if this is speaking of the duration of time in the past, and that the time of waiting is soon to come. Rather, the Greek reads, “from of old their judgment has not been idle.”

The duration of time past is not what is being relayed, but that the coming judgment has been ordained all along. And the amount of future time is not what is being considered as much as what occurs during the time. There is nothing idle in the process. Their judgment is being worked out the whole time that their actions are also being worked out.

While these false teachers are working out evil in their sphere of covetousness, their judgment – or sentence – is also being actively worked out. Nothing of what is due them is missed, and what will come upon them will be appropriate to their level of wicked work. One can look back at the wickedness of man – in Genesis 6, or that of Sodom and Gomorrah – and see that, from of old, such things were not tolerated, and they are not tolerated still. Peter then further says that “their destruction does not slumber.”

There is no time that the destruction which is called for in such cases simply takes a nap. Rather, it is always ready to be poured out on such people. And when it comes, it is because God has determined that it is time for it to be so. The idea is that people see other false teachers profiting off their flocks. They then begin to think, “God doesn’t care. I will take advantage of the situation too.” But at some point, God will judge such things, and their destruction is sure. It will be total in its effects, and it will be final – just as it was at the Flood of Noah, and just as it was for Sodom and Gomorrah.

Life application: The false teachers that Peter has been speaking of have fallen into the same trap of the world as any common criminal – covetousness. Their eyes are full of greed and lust as they look at the pleasures of the world around them and betray the truth of the Bible for dishonest gain. This is accomplished by exploiting their followers with deceptive words where the truth of the Bible is twisted and manipulated for the sake of money.

A perfect place to go in order to witness firsthand such twisted teaching is televangelism. A large portion of these people simply look at the Bible as a tool to get rich. They take something good, turn it to financial gain, and make it appear as if what they are doing is the standard.

This is what happens, for example, on Wall Street. It is also what happens in the ministries of false teachers. People mix what is right with that which is inappropriate. Anytime (anytime!) a pastor, evangelist, preacher, priest, or teacher promises you a financial (or otherworldly) blessing for sending his (or her) ministry money, you should run, not walk, from them. There are no “financial breakthroughs,” “financial harvests,” “miracle healings,” etc. to be found by following this avenue. There is only an exchange of money from your pocket to theirs.

Peter has strong words of condemnation for those who would twist Scripture for gain. These people, seemingly pious and sincere, will receive enormously large and lengthy doses of God’s wrath for perverting what He has given to man in love – His Son.

Jesus hung on a cross to free men’s souls, not to enrich the people of His flock. We shouldn’t kiss the ring of the notable, we shouldn’t look forward to profit by our gifts to them, and we shouldn’t expect a miracle for our faith. Rather, we look to the Lord with gratitude and thanksgiving for having saved us from what we rightfully deserve – judgment and condemnation. Thank You Lord for having mercy on us!

Lord, You have given us more than we could ever imagine – forgiveness and redemption. This came at the highest cost of all, the cross of Jesus our Lord. May we never expect more, and may our souls be satisfied in You alone. Keep us from those who would lead us into covetousness, and keep our hearts, minds, souls, and thoughts on Jesus alone. Amen.

Saturday, 25 January 2020

And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2 Peter 2:2

There is a dispute between manuscripts in this verse. Some say the plural of the same word used in verse 2:1 (destructive). Others use a different word signifying licentiousness. Either way, the intent is that the false teachers will lead those they teach astray, the number being “many.”

This has been true throughout the church age. False teachers leading aberrant sects and cults have taken many down unsound paths of unrighteousness, sexual sin, perversion, bad doctrine, and on and on. This isn’t just limited to those who branch off from the mainstream church, but it is also found in a great way among the church itself. Within large mainstream denominations, there is an underlying culture of sexual sin and the covering up of it when it catches public attention.

At times, however, what is shameful becomes an open part of the ways of such people, such as Joseph Smith of the Mormons. Today, that has become a reality in many “mainstream” denominations where such destructive and licentious ways are openly acknowledged and applauded. Several branches of the Presbyterians, the Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church, the Methodists, and many more all applaud sexual perversion, abortion, and other unholy lifestyle choices. In fact, it seems that it has almost become a requirement for the selection and ordination of candidates to hold completely unholy values.

Even the most conservative denominations in the church today are showing signs of cracking and giving way to such avenues. The magnitude of the term “many will follow” probably could not have even been imagined by Peter as he sat and wrote out the words of his epistle. It is because of following such people, and their perverse agendas, that many will be led astray, Peter notes concerning them that “the way of truth will be blasphemed.”

There are at least two ways that this is true. The first is that people would actually believe that this is what the gospel teaches. It is taking something pure and glorious, and turning it into something vile, perverse, and unholy. The second is that people would then accuse the gospel of actually being responsible for what the people did. The first thought leads directly to the next. When it is believed that the gospel is the source of such unholy conduct, then it is also such a distortion of the gospel that will lead people to follow that same path of unholiness.

Consider, for example, that homosexuals are gladly ordained as pastors and priests in such denominations. Then they are eventually elevated to the positions of bishop, it is no wonder that the outside world sees this conduct, believes that it is something acceptable within Christianity, and turns from any desire to participate in the faith at all. The greatest heathen in society is often on a better moral standing than the highest officials within the church. When this is so, woe to those who lead and participate in such halls of unrighteousness.

Life application: Such people are set on their own appetites and how they can manipulate others for their own benefit and glory. Unfortunately, in order to be a false teacher with followers, there must be those who follow.

History is replete with such groups and sects. In the 1800s, there was a huge turning away from the truth, and many heretics flourished in the freedom provided by the US Constitution. The Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and some Adventist groups grew rapidly in numbers. All of this occurred because people followed a charismatic leader rather than paying heed to the Bible – which admonishes us to follow the Lord, to think on the Lord, and to fix our eyes on the Lord.

Cults continue to spring up in our times, but something much less obvious has arisen in the 20^th and early 21^st century. Heretics have infiltrated mainstream denominations – both in the seminaries and in the pulpits. Bad doctrine abounds, and there has been a grand shift from reliance on the word of God to the traditions and teachings of these heretical leaders.

What the Bible clearly forbids is heralded as “tolerant,” and they say God is “doing a new thing.” But God is unchanging, and His standards never fluctuate. Sadly, the congregants who sit in these denominations are accountable for their failure to investigate what they are taught, but the majority will fail to do so. As you attend church, please compare what is taught with what the Bible says. If the two contradict each other, the problem rests with the church or the pastor, not with God and His loving intent for you. The problem might also rest with you if you do not leave the congregation.

What He speaks is for the good of His creatures; the Bible is for our well-being and to dismiss it will only bring sadness. Be filled with the joy of the Lord; read, learn, and love His word – the Holy Bible.

Heavenly Father, You are a great and loving God. We know that Your word is meant to lead us down paths of righteousness and safety, and we divert from it at our own peril. Please continue to give us the desire, time, and ability to study and discern Your word and intent for us. All glory to You. Amen.

Friday, 24 January 2020

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1

Peter now makes a contrast to the holy men of God who were moved by the Holy Spirit mentioned in the previous verse. Unlike them, he now notes, “But there were also false prophets among the people.” Here, he uses the word ginomai. It signifies becoming or coming into being, and so it is more properly translated as, “But there arose false prophets among the people.”

These people grew out of the same congregation, but they did so without any sanction by the Lord. The true prophet of God was called by God. For example, Amos was a sheep breeder in the land of Judah, but the Lord called him to prophesy to the people of Israel.

The calling of a prophet is recorded at various times in the Old Testament, establishing the truth of his prophetic office. However, there are times where false prophets are clearly identified, some by name, others simply by the message they conveyed. The book of Jeremiah extensively deals with both false prophets and the false messages they would proclaim. Peter then notes that nothing will be different in the church. As he says, “even as there will be false teachers among you.”

Peter says this in the future tense, but he is certainly not excluding the fact that there could be false teachers among them even at that time. He is taking the long view of the matter and showing that false prophets will be as common in the church as they were among Israel. Jude, a contemporary of Peter, noted that such people had, in fact, crept into the church (Jude 1:4).

Peter then notes that such people would not normally do this openly. Rather, he says they “will secretly bring in destructive heresies.” The word he uses is found only here in the Bible. It signifies “close beside.” Therefore, these people will slide into their positions as if they are sound and proper. They will seem to be true followers of the Lord, but what they will then introduce will be heresies which only lead to ruin and destruction.

An example of this is the doctrine of “dual covenantalism.” It teaches that Jews are saved by adherence to the Old Covenant, while Christians are saved through the new. John Hagee teaches this, and it is actually the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church and others. This is a destructive heresy because, instead of bringing salvation to the Jews he speaks to, the aberrant teaching is only leading theses Jews to condemnation and hell. No person – Jew or Gentile – can be saved through adherence to the Mosaic Covenant.

However, there are many other heresies out there. The list seems to get longer by the day as people dream up new and aberrant doctrines. Some are so flagrant that they even deny “the Lord who bought them.” The word Peter uses for “Lord” is not the one most commonly seen. It is one which signifies a master who possesses unrestricted power and absolute rule and domination.

The startling aspect to Peter’s words is that he did, in fact, deny the Lord. It is something that everyone knew about, and that everyone continues to know. Peter’s desire is that people watch, pay heed, and turn from any such action – even if it is from the most trusted of sources. No matter who it is, if they begin to deny the Lord, the people around him are to also turn from him. Such a denial will inevitably lead to disaster. As Peter says of them, they will “bring on themselves swift destruction.”

The verb is in the same tense as “denying,” and it should be rendered “bringing.” As Charles Ellicott says of this – “The two participles, ‘denying’ and ‘bringing,’ without any conjunction to connect them, are awkward, and show that the writer’s strong feeling is already beginning to ruffle the smoothness of his language.”

Peter is thoroughly frustrated at the thought of what he knew was coming. Having denied the Lord, he knew how easy it would be for others to do so. What is unclear is whether these are saved people, or if the words, “the Lord who bought them,” are speaking in a general sense, meaning that Christ’s atonement was sufficient for their purchase. Either way, they have departed from the truth.

If they were saved, that will not be lost, but the problem with teaching such heresies is not that it will affect the teacher’s salvation, but rather it will keep those who hear the false message from being saved. However, if they were not saved, and the idea of being bought by the Lord is one which is potential, but not actual, they will receive their just due for the denial of the Lord. Finally, the destruction that Peter speaks about is not one of occurring swiftly in time, but swiftly in the event. Whenever the Lord’s judgment comes, it will be swift, complete, and permanent.

Life application: The Bible is the only witness to the work of Jesus. It tells of His work from before time all the way through to eternity future. We cannot have a reliable view of Jesus without the Bible, and the Bible provides everything we need to have a complete and untarnished view of Him. In turn, Jesus reveals the unseen God.

Therefore, we cannot have a competent view of God without a proper view of Jesus. These truths are inseparable. Therefore, to dismiss even a single verse of the Bible tarnishes our view of God.

For example, we cannot hold onto God’s love without also proclaiming his wrath. Heresies are any teaching which will keep another from salvation through Christ. This is in contrast to bad doctrine which is something that doesn’t necessarily keep another from salvation, but it certainly leads them to misunderstandings of proper life in Christ.

Heretical teachers, though profiting in this world, will receive swift destruction when they face God. Unfortunately, those who follow heretics will be swept away with them. This is why knowing and properly handling your Bible is of eternal value. God doesn’t force Himself upon mankind. Rather, He expects us to reasonably and intelligently pursue Him and His expectations for us.

O God, how can we know if what we hear is true? By standing firm on Your word! Keep us filled with the strong and lasting desire to read, study, and remember what the Bible proclaims. For by it, we have an understanding of Jesus. And through Him, we have an understanding of You. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Bible. Amen.

Thursday, 23 January 2020

… for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21

Peter now twice uses the same word that he used in verses 1:17 & 1:18, both of which should have been translated as “borne.” In this case, pherō was translated as both “came” and “moved.” Here, that should follow suit. The reason for this is, as was noted, the Holy Spirit was being referred to. The voice was “borne” to Christ from the Excellent Glory (verse 1:17), and the voice was “borne” from heaven, when they were with him on the holy mountain (verse 1:18).

To be consistent in translation here will then help the reader see what is on Peter’s mind as he more literally says, “…for not at any time was prophecy borne by the will of man.” Obviously, Peter is speaking of true prophecy. If it is true, the Source is from God, and the Holy Spirit is the member of the Godhead by which it is brought forth.

Paul alludes to this in Ephesians 6 when he says, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” He also refers to this process in 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 when he says that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

God inspired these “holy men of God” in a unique process which is not fully understood. It should be noted that many manuscripts leave off the word “holy” here, simply saying “men of God.” Despite this minor change, these men were chosen by God and were used to convey to us the words that He intended for us to know His will in the stream of human existence. In order to do this through them, it says, “but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Again, a literal translation will better help understand Peter’s words. It says, “but by Spirit Holy being borne, spoke from God, men.” The origin of the words is God. The third member of the Godhead is the One by which the words are borne, and the men then speak those same words of God. It is an incredible thing to consider.

Though not being fully understood how this occurred, logical assumptions can be made concerning it. The men of God weren’t inspired like artists or poets might be – as if their ideas came from an internal thought process. But at the same time, they weren’t completely controlled in the process either.

A pen or typewriter has no active part in the compilation of a book, but the prophets of the Bible did. Instead of being completely in control of the process, or being completely controlled by the process, the Holy Spirit bore these men along using their individual vocabulary styles, background knowledge, and even personalities. This was a divine process which resulted in exactly what God intended, despite having the unique traits of these men. This is the reason that we can tell differences in authors’ styles and yet see God’s handiwork in each word, sentence, paragraph, page, and book of the Bible.

As an example, if someone plays the guitar, Eddie Van Halen for example, his personal style shows through. Anyone familiar with how he plays will say, “Hey, that’s Eddie Van Halen…” And yet, he may be playing a tune composed by Beethoven. If you’re also familiar with Beethoven’s style of writing, without ever hearing the song before, you could say, “Hey, Eddie Van Halen is playing a tune composed by Beethoven!” Imagine now an entire orchestra playing this music.

Each person’s instrument and his individual style comes through, and is entirely unique. But at the same time, these people were all inspired by the same great master – Beethoven. Divine inspiration does not negate individual style. Rather, it takes it into account and these men of God were moved in a way which reveals that “Every word of God is pure” (Proverbs 30:5).

Life application: We can have complete assurance that the Bible is God’s perfect revelation to mankind. It is for this reason, as confirmed by Jesus’ own words, that we cannot dismiss any part of the Bible. The Bible is a unified whole. It is authoritative in all it proclaims, teaches, and expects for the conduct of our lives.

Heavenly Father, may we never arrogantly assume that we can dismiss parts of the Bible we disagree with. Give us the wisdom to understand that You are the divine Source of all Scripture and that Your Holy Spirit actively ensured that we have in its pages exactly what we need in order to properly live our lives. Amen.

Wednesday, 22 January 2020

…knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 2 Peter 1:20

Peter just spoke of “the prophetic word,” saying that we have it “confirmed.” With that understood, he now speaks of that same prophetic word, beginning with, “knowing this first.”

It is a point which must be first understood before he explains why it must be understood. The explanation will come in the next verse. He then says, “that no prophecy of Scripture is.” The word translated as “is” means to come about, emerge, transition from one point to another, etc. It is not an exact match for the word “is,” and should not be translated this way here. Rather, it should say something like “no prophecy of Scripture comes about.”

With this understood, he then says that such does not come about by “any private interpretation.” There are three possible explanations for this. The first is that it is speaking of the one who issues forth the prophecy. The prophet (Isaiah, for example) is not the sole source of what is penned. The second is that it is speaking of the recipient. The one reading the prophecy (Pastor Imperfect, for example) does not privately make up the meaning for what has been prophesied, claiming his interpretation is the correct one. The third is that it is speaking of the prophecy itself. Therefore, the purpose and meaning of the prophecy comes to be through its own explanation. In other words, a prophecy does not explain itself.

The answer to Peter’s statement comes from both the preceding verse and the verse which follows. Peter has said that the prophetic word is confirmed. The example he gave occurred at the coming of Christ, in His transfiguration. The event explained the prophecies which spoke of Him. Peter will next say that “prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Peter has said that the ultimate Source of prophecy is the Holy Spirit. Here he says it “comes about,” meaning there is a transition from one point to another. After this, he speaks of those who receive it. And so, this is referring to the one who issues forth the prophecy – the prophet.

It may be true that the meaning of prophecies is not subject to any interpretation someone wishes to identify it with, but that is a problem not being addressed here. He has shown that what was spoken about was of divine, not human, origin, and that the fulfillment of those prophecies is a specific person, event, time, etc. Those things are concrete and are thus not open to any of various interpretations. It doesn’t mean there might not be incorrect interpretations of the prophecy, but that is not the fault of the prophecy. Rather, it is the fault of the person who is not schooled in how the prophecy was actually fulfilled, or will actually be fulfilled if it is yet future.

The word translated as “interpretation” is an interesting word, only found here in Scripture. It signifies a solution, explanation, or interpretation. It refers to the untying of knots, and thus, there is an unveiling of an issue.

Because of the meaning, one might make the claim that this is then speaking of the person receiving the prophecy, such as Pastor Imperfect. It is not up to his own private interpretation to decide the meaning of the prophecy. There is a knot and it must be untied, but he cannot do it. Rather, it must be the Holy Spirit who does this. This would then add a note of “super spirituality” to anyone who claims they have properly deduced the meaning of the prophecy. “Certainly, Pastor Imperfect is a man filled with the Holy Spirit.” But this is not the intent of the words.

If the event has a concrete fulfillment, then God has revealed its fulfillment already, or He will reveal its fulfillment in the future event itself. A prophecy about Christ on the cross (such as in Psalm 22) is fulfilled in Christ’s crucifixion. There is no need to give Rabbi Ridiculous any credence when he says it is a future prophecy metaphorically speaking of the nation of Israel. The interpretation is fixed in the fulfillment.

Rather, this is what Peter spoke about in his first epistle –

“Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ¹¹ searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹² To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.” 1 Peter 1:10-12

The prophets who received the prophecies could not make the claim upon their own prophecies, stating what its fulfillment would be. They received the word, saw the knot, tried to unravel it, and could not. They, and indeed even angels, desired to know what the prophecies meant. But until God’s timing came about, the meaning of the prophecies remained His alone.

Life application: “Private interpretation” means “own interpretation.” In other words, what is contained in the prophecies of the Bible is of divine origin and not of man or demon. In contrast to this are countless prophecies which come to us from an almost unlimited number of sources.

We have prophecies or predictions from other religions such as Islam, Buddhism, etc. There are also those from Nostradamus, horoscopes, tarot cards, palm readers, and even generated by computers for example. The list is long, and these “prophecies” always lacks one essential element that the Bible contains – divine inspiration.

Not only do they lack divine inspiration, they are forbidden by God. Although part of the Old Testament Law, the same prohibitions apply to us today concerning these types of activities as it did when recorded in Leviticus –

“And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.” Leviticus 20:6

Any prophecy which is not specifically of God is not to be trifled with. The reading of Tarot cards and Ouija boards, for example, relies on a manipulation of the created order in anticipation of helpful clues about one’s personal future.

The same is true with daily horoscopes. To view these as innocuous and fun is akin to taking hot coals and placing them in your own lap – the result is detrimental to one’s well-being. It is shocking that Christians – true believers who have called on Jesus as Lord – participate in these activities. One cannot be held guiltless when they hold Jesus with their right hand and hold out their left to a palm-reader. We need to have single-hearted devotion to the Lord lest we find ourselves subdued and torn away by a lesser master.

Further, as prophecies are things which belong to God, and which then are fulfilled in a concrete way at a set time by God, it is presumptuous and sinful to think that future prophecies can be determined by us. We may know they are going to come about, such as the rapture. This is because it is clearly detailed in Scripture. However, like the prophet who is on the “before” side of the event, we too cannot unravel the knot of “when” the rapture will occur. To attempt to do so is to diminish the very premise which Peter writes about here. Do not be deluded by people who think so highly of themselves that they think they can speak for God about something which He has reserved to Himself until He reveals it to the world.

O God, we pray today that Your face would be turned toward us, not against us. We pray that our hearts and souls would be directed completely and solely toward You and that You would keep us from those prophecies which are not of divine origin. Help our doctrine to be pure and our hearts to be steadfast – directed to You alone. Amen.